Doing the right thing ends night out with $330 fine

A BUDERIM mum is fuming that her daughter was stung with a $330 fine for not wearing a seatbelt in a taxi.

Marie Visintin said her daughter Bianca, 26, had done the right thing by leaving her car at Mooloolaba after a night out with friends, but was fined when her cab was pulled over by police conducting a traffic blitz.

Suncoast Cabs general manager John Lobwein was sympathetic, but said it was against the law not to use the seatbelts.

"I feel sorry for her and I'm sure she's not the only one who's ever done it, but if you get caught you get caught," he said.

Mrs Visintin said the laws that surrounded seatbelt use on public transport were confusing with bus passengers often forced to stand with no seats available, yet no fines were issued for not wearing a seatbelt.

"It's a very strange law, if they're going to have seatbelts they should have them across the board," Mrs Visintin said.

"I have travelled a lot in taxis and never put a seatbelt on and I think the police have caught on to that and are using it as base for revenue," she said.

Mrs Visintin said the taxi driver was also fined.

Mr Lobwein said it was not Suncoast Cab's responsibility to ensure passengers were wearing seatbelts.

"I don't know too many people who get into a cab and don't put their seatbelt on," he said.

Reader poll

Do you always wear seatbelts in a taxi?

This poll ended on 25 September 2013.

Current Results

Yes - It's there so of course I'm going to wear it

90%

No - why would I bother in a taxi?

9%

This is not a scientific poll. The results reflect only the opinions of those who chose to participate.